Ronald Koeman has started his second period as national coach of Orange. Earlier he pulled the Dutch national team out of the doldrums. Will he also succeed in achieving successes with the Orange this time?
Erwin Heerlijn
,,No. Ronald Koeman did a lot of good things in his first period. The group also seemed to go for him. Still, I always think he’s a good one people manager is with a lot of experience, but I always wonder if he is able to get the best team with the not very best players. Koeman’s hand is never visible to me, as is the case with teams such as Louis van Gaal or Peter Bosz. I am very curious about the coming period. In any case, I hope that we will go on a prize hunt in a more attractive way. In that light, it is nice that Koeman wants to play 4-3-3 again. Although I also think that 3-5-2 can be offensive, but Van Gaal apparently did not want that at the World Cup.”
Erwin Heerlijn is head coach of first division Oranje Nassau from Groningen
Hank de Haan
,,That he will play 4-3-3 is positive. They are also Groningen, aren’t they, the Koemannetjes and that goalkeeper coach, Patrick Lodewijks. That is beautiful. But they should not touch our comrade from Friesland, Andries Noppert. It also went wrong at FC Groningen. Jan de Boer played a world pot against PSV and a week later he was replaced by the second keeper. Never change a winning team! Oh well, that’s for another forum. It’s time for Orange to take a prize again. I was there in ’88. Then I went on holiday to Italy, so unfortunately I didn’t experience any of the festivities. I am now 60 years old and I want to become world champion before I die. That is possible with Koeman. I have a good feeling about him. I never had that with Louis van Gaal. Because of him I always thought I didn’t understand football.”
Henk de Haan is a former player of FC Groningen and BV Veendam, among others
Theo Pow
,,Yes of course! To start in June. Then the Dutch will play the final of the Nations League in De Kuip in their own country. I see that as a real prize. We fought for that. In Portugal I was there when the Orange squad played the final. Then there is a real European Cup atmosphere. It’s not EK, but it’s fun. Ronald Koeman is the best option for the Orange at the moment. My ideal is Louis van Gaal, but that’s personal. And what is ideal? You can talk about that for hours. Koeman had a good time with the Orange in the past and he gets along well with the players. He doesn’t have a clause in his contract, so just let him do this for a few years. It’s good for him and good for his family.”
Theo Pouw is chairman of the supporters association of the Dutch national team
Jan van der Lei
“What can I say other than: yes, of course! Ronald Koeman is one Helpernees , so that should be fine. Anyway, I’m confident. We are still proud that he and Erwin played for our club. If he wins a prize with the Orange, we will only be prouder. Koeman is from Groningen: down-to-earth and straightforward. He gets along well with the group of players, so that’s good. We haven’t seen him at Helpman for a long time, but he is of course very welcome. It would be nice if he had another one Helpernees , Bjorn Meijer, late debut. It does quite well with a poorly running Club Brugge. It would be great if Meijer made his debut under Koeman. I see the front page of Newspaper of the North before me.”
Jan van der Lei is chairman of VV Helpman, the club where the Koemannetjes started playing football